Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Slashing Tires in Milwaukee: Dems Arrested / Anti-Abortionists Ignored
According to a current AP story, 5 Democratic officials in Milwaukee were arrested for "flattening the tires on 25 vehicles rented by the state Republican Party to get out the vote and deliver poll watchers November 2".
They are Sowande Omokunde, son of Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., and Michael Pratt, the son of former Milwaukee acting mayor Marvin Pratt. Also charged by "Democratic" Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann are Lewis Caldwell and Lavelle Mohammad, both from Milwaukee, and Justin Howell of Racine. According to the AP article (http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/24/tires.slashed.ap/index.html ) they are charged with criminal damage to property, a felony that carries a maximum punishment of 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The FBI was apparently involved in their apprehension.
The irony with all of this is that one of the abortion clinics in town, Summit Women's Health Organization" (http://www.gynpages.com/swho) has regularly been the victim of anti-abortion violence that not only includes tire-slashings, but also includes arson, vandalism, glue lockings, an anthrax threat, stalking of staff members and doctors, etc.
You see, "Democratic" Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann is also anti-abortion, and despite repeated instances of violence at the clinic, he has steadfastly refused to pursue any criminal punishment against the perpetrators of crimes against the abortion clinic. As far as we know, the FBI has not been heavily involved in any of these anti-abortion crimes. Over the years, the Milwaukee police have made many arrests, but McCann has refused to prosecute these anti-abortion criminals. The police therefore hardly pay any attention to the clinic violence any more. The clinic just has to deal with it.
It is reported that years ago, McCann even made a public statement saying that he would never prosecute anti-abortion protesters.
Examples of his massive indifference to anti-abortion violence include the following:
1. According to the Missionaries for the Preborn (http://www.missionariestopreborn.com/default.asp?fuseaction=newsletter8), they regularly picket the Summit Women's Health Organization 5 days a week and "continue to conduct pickets and leaflet campaigns in the neighborhoods of the clinic workers. Two of them have quit in the last month due to their efforts!"
NOBODY HAS BEEN ARRESTED & CHARGED FOR THIS!
2. Summit Women's Health Organization was one of the clinic plaintiffs in the NOW v. Scheidler RICO case against Joe Scheidler and anti-abortionists. During the Bush Administration, the Supreme Court sent back to lower courts the Fedreral court victory which awarded the clinic damages for years of repeated violence. Testimony in the Federal trial included evidence that a lab employee had stolen fetuses from the clinic meant for medical disposal and given them to anti-abortionists who took them around the country conducting "fetus funerals" and claiming that the fetuses were found in garbage cans outside local abortion clinics.
NOBODY HAS BEEN ARRESTED & CHARGED FOR THIS!
3. I was personally there one day and parked my rental car 2 blocks away from the clinic. I was cautious walking to the clinic to ensure that I wasn't followed or observed. In spite of that, when I went to get in my car at the end of the day, all 4 tires were slashed.
NOBODY HAS BEEN ARRESTED & CHARGED FOR THIS!
4. Doctors from other states who flew into town were regularly stalked and harassed by anti-abortionists when they'd fly into town. They had to come to town to perform abortions because no local doctors would perform abortions at the time.
NOBODY HAS BEEN ARRESTED & CHARGED FOR THIS!
5. Harassment of physicians and clinics is detailed in this Harper’s article (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1111/is_n1736_v289/ai_16003361/pg_1) from 1995.
NOBODY HAS BEEN ARRESTED OR CONVICTED FOR THIS
6. Other incidents reported to police where nobody was ever charged and convicted include: keying cars in the parking lot, videotaping patients, throwing red paint balloons on the building (and city sidewalk), toxic Butyric Acid attacks, locks glued shut with super glue, and a bogus anthrax attack,.
This pattern of intimidation and harassment has not only financially impacted the individual clinics who have to hire additional security and take extra precautions, but they also cost local police forces in additional staffing for security, etc.
Daunting to any business would be this historical review from 1977-1996 of activities against abortion clinics:
* 6 Murders
* 12 Attempted murders
* 41 Bombings
* 108 Arsons
* 69 Attempted bombing/arsons
* 351 Invasions
* 616 Vandalism
* 97 Assault & Battery
* 268 Death Threats
* 2 Kidnappings
* 37 Burglary
* 277 Stalking
* 3,020 Hate Mail & Phone Calls
* 354 Bomb Threats
* 9,366 Picketing
* 641 Blockades
On the other hand in 1998, the wife of an abortion doctor mooned the anti-abortionists who were picketing her house in a private Milwaukee neighborhood. She was cited and convicted for indecent exposure.
And now the Democratic activists go down for slashing tires.
Sure looks like selective prosecution in Milwaukee to me.
Milwaukee is just a microcosm of the anti-abortion harassment and violence that still continues to this day all around the country.
Ashcroft, of course, didn’t help on national level, especially with the post-911 clinic anthrax hoaxes that hit Milwaukee and many other cities.
Pro-Choice Targets Of Anthrax Hoaxes Get Little Help From Ashcroft
http://nyc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/12438/index.php
In the wake of 911, these anthrax attacks were finally taken seriously by Federal authorities and Clayton Wagner was arrested and convicted.
This situation is similar to conditions around the country. Abortion clinics have been historically been subjected to harassment, intimidation, stalking, arson, anthrax, butyric acid attacks, glue lockings, and even murder. These incidents are generally given little attention are are considered “business as usual” by many clinics who are just trying to get through the day and provide services to their clients.
If this kind of concerted, choreographed effort had been perpetrated against any other business type...say all fast food restaurants...I guarantee there would have been vigorous investigations and many prosecutions over the years and the illegal activities would have stopped by now. But, they continue. The Milwaukee clinic is regularly harassed to this day. The staff is numb to this activity and just tries to provide services in the best possible way.
Summaries of these incidents can be found at:
Feminist Majority Foundation Annual Clinic Survey (http://www.feminist.org/rrights/clinicsurvey.html)
National Abortion Federation Clinic Violence (http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/violence/index.html)
They are Sowande Omokunde, son of Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., and Michael Pratt, the son of former Milwaukee acting mayor Marvin Pratt. Also charged by "Democratic" Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann are Lewis Caldwell and Lavelle Mohammad, both from Milwaukee, and Justin Howell of Racine. According to the AP article (http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/24/tires.slashed.ap/index.html ) they are charged with criminal damage to property, a felony that carries a maximum punishment of 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The FBI was apparently involved in their apprehension.
The irony with all of this is that one of the abortion clinics in town, Summit Women's Health Organization" (http://www.gynpages.com/swho) has regularly been the victim of anti-abortion violence that not only includes tire-slashings, but also includes arson, vandalism, glue lockings, an anthrax threat, stalking of staff members and doctors, etc.
You see, "Democratic" Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann is also anti-abortion, and despite repeated instances of violence at the clinic, he has steadfastly refused to pursue any criminal punishment against the perpetrators of crimes against the abortion clinic. As far as we know, the FBI has not been heavily involved in any of these anti-abortion crimes. Over the years, the Milwaukee police have made many arrests, but McCann has refused to prosecute these anti-abortion criminals. The police therefore hardly pay any attention to the clinic violence any more. The clinic just has to deal with it.
It is reported that years ago, McCann even made a public statement saying that he would never prosecute anti-abortion protesters.
Examples of his massive indifference to anti-abortion violence include the following:
1. According to the Missionaries for the Preborn (http://www.missionariestopreborn.com/default.asp?fuseaction=newsletter8), they regularly picket the Summit Women's Health Organization 5 days a week and "continue to conduct pickets and leaflet campaigns in the neighborhoods of the clinic workers. Two of them have quit in the last month due to their efforts!"
NOBODY HAS BEEN ARRESTED & CHARGED FOR THIS!
2. Summit Women's Health Organization was one of the clinic plaintiffs in the NOW v. Scheidler RICO case against Joe Scheidler and anti-abortionists. During the Bush Administration, the Supreme Court sent back to lower courts the Fedreral court victory which awarded the clinic damages for years of repeated violence. Testimony in the Federal trial included evidence that a lab employee had stolen fetuses from the clinic meant for medical disposal and given them to anti-abortionists who took them around the country conducting "fetus funerals" and claiming that the fetuses were found in garbage cans outside local abortion clinics.
NOBODY HAS BEEN ARRESTED & CHARGED FOR THIS!
3. I was personally there one day and parked my rental car 2 blocks away from the clinic. I was cautious walking to the clinic to ensure that I wasn't followed or observed. In spite of that, when I went to get in my car at the end of the day, all 4 tires were slashed.
NOBODY HAS BEEN ARRESTED & CHARGED FOR THIS!
4. Doctors from other states who flew into town were regularly stalked and harassed by anti-abortionists when they'd fly into town. They had to come to town to perform abortions because no local doctors would perform abortions at the time.
NOBODY HAS BEEN ARRESTED & CHARGED FOR THIS!
5. Harassment of physicians and clinics is detailed in this Harper’s article (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1111/is_n1736_v289/ai_16003361/pg_1) from 1995.
NOBODY HAS BEEN ARRESTED OR CONVICTED FOR THIS
6. Other incidents reported to police where nobody was ever charged and convicted include: keying cars in the parking lot, videotaping patients, throwing red paint balloons on the building (and city sidewalk), toxic Butyric Acid attacks, locks glued shut with super glue, and a bogus anthrax attack,.
This pattern of intimidation and harassment has not only financially impacted the individual clinics who have to hire additional security and take extra precautions, but they also cost local police forces in additional staffing for security, etc.
Daunting to any business would be this historical review from 1977-1996 of activities against abortion clinics:
* 6 Murders
* 12 Attempted murders
* 41 Bombings
* 108 Arsons
* 69 Attempted bombing/arsons
* 351 Invasions
* 616 Vandalism
* 97 Assault & Battery
* 268 Death Threats
* 2 Kidnappings
* 37 Burglary
* 277 Stalking
* 3,020 Hate Mail & Phone Calls
* 354 Bomb Threats
* 9,366 Picketing
* 641 Blockades
On the other hand in 1998, the wife of an abortion doctor mooned the anti-abortionists who were picketing her house in a private Milwaukee neighborhood. She was cited and convicted for indecent exposure.
And now the Democratic activists go down for slashing tires.
Sure looks like selective prosecution in Milwaukee to me.
Milwaukee is just a microcosm of the anti-abortion harassment and violence that still continues to this day all around the country.
Ashcroft, of course, didn’t help on national level, especially with the post-911 clinic anthrax hoaxes that hit Milwaukee and many other cities.
Pro-Choice Targets Of Anthrax Hoaxes Get Little Help From Ashcroft
http://nyc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/12438/index.php
In the wake of 911, these anthrax attacks were finally taken seriously by Federal authorities and Clayton Wagner was arrested and convicted.
This situation is similar to conditions around the country. Abortion clinics have been historically been subjected to harassment, intimidation, stalking, arson, anthrax, butyric acid attacks, glue lockings, and even murder. These incidents are generally given little attention are are considered “business as usual” by many clinics who are just trying to get through the day and provide services to their clients.
If this kind of concerted, choreographed effort had been perpetrated against any other business type...say all fast food restaurants...I guarantee there would have been vigorous investigations and many prosecutions over the years and the illegal activities would have stopped by now. But, they continue. The Milwaukee clinic is regularly harassed to this day. The staff is numb to this activity and just tries to provide services in the best possible way.
Summaries of these incidents can be found at:
Feminist Majority Foundation Annual Clinic Survey (http://www.feminist.org/rrights/clinicsurvey.html)
National Abortion Federation Clinic Violence (http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/violence/index.html)
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
What's New in My Reproductive Area
AN OPEN LETTER TO OFFICIALS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT REGARDING WHAT'S NEW IN MY REPRODUCTIVE AREA.
BY EMILY WEINSTEIN
Dear Officials of the United States Government,
I thought I would just get in touch and let you know what is going on in my reproductive system and general private area lately. You seem really interested, and I wouldn't want to put you to the trouble of subpoenaing my medical records just to find out what's happening in my uterus.
It's summer, so I'm getting my bikini line waxed more frequently. (Ouch!) I had a little urinary-tract infection a while ago, but that seems to have cleared up. Cranberry juice is really something, especially when you're uninsured and can'' see the doctor to check out every little searing, stabbing pain. And did you know that yogurt cures yeast infections? If only it cured AIDS, we could patent it and then withhold it from Third World nations.
My last period started on the 8th and ended on the 13th. I think right now I'm ovulating. You know those little midcycle twinges you can get around ovulation? I felt one yesterday. President Bush, Attorney General Ashcroft, I am very pleased to be writing to you at my monthly pinnacle of fertility. The lining of my uterus is thickening, and a mature ovum expectantly awaits fertilization in my fallopian tube. It is a very beautiful time, and this month it is concurrent with the new moon. As
the moon waxes, it will gently pull the tide of my menses from me, culminating in my next menstrual period, which I expect to begin on the 6th of next month.
I know it might be hard to believe, but some guys think a woman's natural cycles and secretions are "yucky." Some guys are too squeamish to pick up a box of tampons at the drugstore if you ask them to. The first lady is lucky to have a partner like you, Mr. President, a person who wishes to be intimately involved not only in his wife's reproductive system, but in those of all the other women in America as well.
This is why if I ever get accidentally pregnant, you guys will be the first people I call. We'll all figure it out together, just me, my government, and that man in the polo shirt who hangs out outside my
gynecologist's office holding the sign with the fake bloody fetus on it.
May God continue to bless America, and my uterus.
Yours,
Emily Weinstein
http://www.superlefty.com
BY EMILY WEINSTEIN
Dear Officials of the United States Government,
I thought I would just get in touch and let you know what is going on in my reproductive system and general private area lately. You seem really interested, and I wouldn't want to put you to the trouble of subpoenaing my medical records just to find out what's happening in my uterus.
It's summer, so I'm getting my bikini line waxed more frequently. (Ouch!) I had a little urinary-tract infection a while ago, but that seems to have cleared up. Cranberry juice is really something, especially when you're uninsured and can'' see the doctor to check out every little searing, stabbing pain. And did you know that yogurt cures yeast infections? If only it cured AIDS, we could patent it and then withhold it from Third World nations.
My last period started on the 8th and ended on the 13th. I think right now I'm ovulating. You know those little midcycle twinges you can get around ovulation? I felt one yesterday. President Bush, Attorney General Ashcroft, I am very pleased to be writing to you at my monthly pinnacle of fertility. The lining of my uterus is thickening, and a mature ovum expectantly awaits fertilization in my fallopian tube. It is a very beautiful time, and this month it is concurrent with the new moon. As
the moon waxes, it will gently pull the tide of my menses from me, culminating in my next menstrual period, which I expect to begin on the 6th of next month.
I know it might be hard to believe, but some guys think a woman's natural cycles and secretions are "yucky." Some guys are too squeamish to pick up a box of tampons at the drugstore if you ask them to. The first lady is lucky to have a partner like you, Mr. President, a person who wishes to be intimately involved not only in his wife's reproductive system, but in those of all the other women in America as well.
This is why if I ever get accidentally pregnant, you guys will be the first people I call. We'll all figure it out together, just me, my government, and that man in the polo shirt who hangs out outside my
gynecologist's office holding the sign with the fake bloody fetus on it.
May God continue to bless America, and my uterus.
Yours,
Emily Weinstein
http://www.superlefty.com
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Dear President Bush
Dear President Bush:
Congratulations on your election victory and for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law! I have learned a great deal from you and understand why you would propose and support a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. As you said, "in the eyes of God marriage is based between a man a woman." I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18.22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
However, I do need some advice from you regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how best to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25.44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not to Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21.7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness (Leviticus15.19-24). The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord. (Leviticus 1.9) The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35.2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Leviticus11.10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there degrees of abomination?
7. Leviticus.21.20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Leviticus19.27. How should they die?
9. I know from Leviticus 11.6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean. May I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Leviticus 19.19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Leviticus 24.10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, as we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Leviticus 20.14)
11. My pro-life neighbors tell me it's the same as murder for a woman to have an abortion because David said to God, "You knitted me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13; see also Psalm 51:5; 139:13; Luke 1:44), and that it's against God's law to harm an unborn child (Exod. 21:22-23). The verses in Psalms and Luke just say that babies are formed in the womb and born in sin. And Exodus only says: "When men strive together, and hurt a woman with child, so that there is a miscarriage, and yet no harm follows, the one who hurt her shall be fined, according as the woman's husband shall lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye," etc. God's own word is good enough for me. If you kill a woman, that's murder and is punishable by death, but if you cause a miscarriage (abortion in medical terminology), that only calls for a fine. And if the woman and her husband have no objection (as of course they wouldn't in the case of a voluntary abortion), then the Bible says there's no reason for punishment at all. So am I obligated to stone these "pro-life" sinners to death myself, for breaking the commandment against bearing false witness by perverting the very word of God Almighty? Should I stone these heretics? I really hate to make such a mess, unless you think some activist judge might let these infidels off light with only death by lethal injection.
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Yours truly,
An Inquiring Supporter
P.S. I look forward to your answers because there are a number of other issues that I'd like to get settled as soon as you've enlightened me on these ... Thanks again.
Congratulations on your election victory and for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law! I have learned a great deal from you and understand why you would propose and support a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. As you said, "in the eyes of God marriage is based between a man a woman." I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18.22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
However, I do need some advice from you regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how best to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25.44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not to Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21.7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness (Leviticus15.19-24). The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord. (Leviticus 1.9) The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35.2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Leviticus11.10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there degrees of abomination?
7. Leviticus.21.20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Leviticus19.27. How should they die?
9. I know from Leviticus 11.6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean. May I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Leviticus 19.19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Leviticus 24.10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, as we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Leviticus 20.14)
11. My pro-life neighbors tell me it's the same as murder for a woman to have an abortion because David said to God, "You knitted me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13; see also Psalm 51:5; 139:13; Luke 1:44), and that it's against God's law to harm an unborn child (Exod. 21:22-23). The verses in Psalms and Luke just say that babies are formed in the womb and born in sin. And Exodus only says: "When men strive together, and hurt a woman with child, so that there is a miscarriage, and yet no harm follows, the one who hurt her shall be fined, according as the woman's husband shall lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye," etc. God's own word is good enough for me. If you kill a woman, that's murder and is punishable by death, but if you cause a miscarriage (abortion in medical terminology), that only calls for a fine. And if the woman and her husband have no objection (as of course they wouldn't in the case of a voluntary abortion), then the Bible says there's no reason for punishment at all. So am I obligated to stone these "pro-life" sinners to death myself, for breaking the commandment against bearing false witness by perverting the very word of God Almighty? Should I stone these heretics? I really hate to make such a mess, unless you think some activist judge might let these infidels off light with only death by lethal injection.
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Yours truly,
An Inquiring Supporter
P.S. I look forward to your answers because there are a number of other issues that I'd like to get settled as soon as you've enlightened me on these ... Thanks again.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Post-Election Sour Grapes
OK....I admit it. Since the election, I've put my rantings on hold. On hold because I just can't believe that so many Americans believed the lies of Bush and the Republicans. There's 6 things I'm sure of about this election:
1. There was massive voter fraud which resulted in the disenfrancisement of Democratic voters
2. The Republicans lie with impunity, while Democrats try to tell the truth
3. The American public can't handle the truth and would rather live in a world of lies
4. The Republicans are more ruthless than the Democrats
5. The Republicans are better at running campaigns, but the Democrats are better at running the country
6. John Kerry won the election
So, in the face of another stolen election, I don't see how Republicans can hold up their heads. Their "mandate" could have been erased with a swing of 100,000 votes in Ohio, so I don't see how they can claim the moral highground. Especially when their moral highground consists of immediately raising the debt ceiling (more mortgating of America under their watch), chipping away at women's rights, giving tax breaks to the upper 2%, ignoring the ethics of their members, and strongarming their moderate wing into acting right. That's a dubious legacy.
Sour grapes? I don't think so. Fermented grapes? OK. That's wine...not whine.
Since when does dissention amount to "sour grapes", "anti-Americanism", and "truthseeking"?
Since the Republicans define America and try to bring Democracy to Iraq and dismantle it in the US of A. Quite a fix we're in here.
One note of optimism. I do think ole Georgie is going to step on his proverbial dick. The last three second lame-duck terms for Presidents has resulted in:
1. Richard Nixon's Watergate
2. Ronald Reagan's Iran-Contra
3. Bill Clinton's Monicagate
It seems that absolute power inflicted by second terms with no accountability corrupts absolutely. I can't wait to see what ole Bush and his loyal neocons come up with. It's just a matter of time.
1. There was massive voter fraud which resulted in the disenfrancisement of Democratic voters
2. The Republicans lie with impunity, while Democrats try to tell the truth
3. The American public can't handle the truth and would rather live in a world of lies
4. The Republicans are more ruthless than the Democrats
5. The Republicans are better at running campaigns, but the Democrats are better at running the country
6. John Kerry won the election
So, in the face of another stolen election, I don't see how Republicans can hold up their heads. Their "mandate" could have been erased with a swing of 100,000 votes in Ohio, so I don't see how they can claim the moral highground. Especially when their moral highground consists of immediately raising the debt ceiling (more mortgating of America under their watch), chipping away at women's rights, giving tax breaks to the upper 2%, ignoring the ethics of their members, and strongarming their moderate wing into acting right. That's a dubious legacy.
Sour grapes? I don't think so. Fermented grapes? OK. That's wine...not whine.
Since when does dissention amount to "sour grapes", "anti-Americanism", and "truthseeking"?
Since the Republicans define America and try to bring Democracy to Iraq and dismantle it in the US of A. Quite a fix we're in here.
One note of optimism. I do think ole Georgie is going to step on his proverbial dick. The last three second lame-duck terms for Presidents has resulted in:
1. Richard Nixon's Watergate
2. Ronald Reagan's Iran-Contra
3. Bill Clinton's Monicagate
It seems that absolute power inflicted by second terms with no accountability corrupts absolutely. I can't wait to see what ole Bush and his loyal neocons come up with. It's just a matter of time.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Zell Miller: Hypocrit Heal Thyself!!
"You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye"...Matthew 7:5
Zell Miller was on Imus this morning once again moralizing to the rest of us. He was talking about how the Democrats can't ignore the "moral fiber" of the Red states and can't mock Christianity and the morals of the Christians.
He referred to Maureen Dowd as "Maureen Loud" and satanized her by saying that he could see horns coming out of her red hair. Ironic, since he's rumored to have liked redheads in the past, and horns have never been a problem for Zell.
Rumors have swirled in Georgia for many years now about Zell's extra-curricular activities. For some reason, there's a zone of silence around him, and nobody will talk on the record. But in private, he's the butt of numerous jokes for his Zig-Zagging on moral values, especially when it comes to women.
Why is it that the biggest partiers end up in their grumpy old age as the ones who want to punish others with their newly discovered moral beliefs?
Isn't it too bad that Viagra doesn't have an anti-depressant in it to chill out the old geezers?
In the past, I've attended some of Zell's kick-ass birthday parties at the latest trendy cowboy bar, and I assure you there was never preaching and moralizing going on. I do know that political insiders in Georgia have been guffawing for months now about his new-found moral outrage in light of his colorful past.
I don't mind his "colorful past", but I do think it's hypocritical and disingenuous that he's now trying to moralize to the rest of us.
To quote an old politician:
"Be not too hasty to trust or to admire the teachers of morality: they discourse like angels, but they live like men"
... Samuel Johnson, Rasselas (1759), 18.
And read my Diary yesterday regarding an "Online Petition to Enact a Morality Oath for Public Officials"
http://www.dailykos.com/diary_edit/2004/11/8/174839/348
Zell's supporters need to get answers to some of those questions before he elevates himself to sainthood.
One thing I know is that if Zell is a pure man now, he's a recovering horndog.
He can challenge those of us who've known about him in the past to a duel, but that won't get us outta his face; especially if he's going to continue to be in our face.
Cross-Posted at: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/11/9/94041/4224
9/9/04 - Zell Miller: Republican Road-Kill
http://hotflashreport.blogspot.com/2004/09/zell-miller-republican-road-kill.html
2/26/04 - Zig Zag Zell
http://hotflashreport.blogspot.com/2004_02_01_hotflashreport_archive.html
Zell Miller was on Imus this morning once again moralizing to the rest of us. He was talking about how the Democrats can't ignore the "moral fiber" of the Red states and can't mock Christianity and the morals of the Christians.
He referred to Maureen Dowd as "Maureen Loud" and satanized her by saying that he could see horns coming out of her red hair. Ironic, since he's rumored to have liked redheads in the past, and horns have never been a problem for Zell.
Rumors have swirled in Georgia for many years now about Zell's extra-curricular activities. For some reason, there's a zone of silence around him, and nobody will talk on the record. But in private, he's the butt of numerous jokes for his Zig-Zagging on moral values, especially when it comes to women.
Why is it that the biggest partiers end up in their grumpy old age as the ones who want to punish others with their newly discovered moral beliefs?
Isn't it too bad that Viagra doesn't have an anti-depressant in it to chill out the old geezers?
In the past, I've attended some of Zell's kick-ass birthday parties at the latest trendy cowboy bar, and I assure you there was never preaching and moralizing going on. I do know that political insiders in Georgia have been guffawing for months now about his new-found moral outrage in light of his colorful past.
I don't mind his "colorful past", but I do think it's hypocritical and disingenuous that he's now trying to moralize to the rest of us.
To quote an old politician:
"Be not too hasty to trust or to admire the teachers of morality: they discourse like angels, but they live like men"
... Samuel Johnson, Rasselas (1759), 18.
And read my Diary yesterday regarding an "Online Petition to Enact a Morality Oath for Public Officials"
http://www.dailykos.com/diary_edit/2004/11/8/174839/348
Zell's supporters need to get answers to some of those questions before he elevates himself to sainthood.
One thing I know is that if Zell is a pure man now, he's a recovering horndog.
He can challenge those of us who've known about him in the past to a duel, but that won't get us outta his face; especially if he's going to continue to be in our face.
Cross-Posted at: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/11/9/94041/4224
9/9/04 - Zell Miller: Republican Road-Kill
http://hotflashreport.blogspot.com/2004/09/zell-miller-republican-road-kill.html
2/26/04 - Zig Zag Zell
http://hotflashreport.blogspot.com/2004_02_01_hotflashreport_archive.html
Monday, November 08, 2004
Online Petition to Enact a Morality Oath for Public Officials
OK. Uncle. We give up. Make our day. Bring 'em on.
This country's Republican leaders think that morality is an important issue. Some would claim that it was THE issue in last Tuesday's election. Knock yourself out.
But, there's a catch.
If you're a politician, influential media expert or "talking head" or "pundit", or if you're a religious leader, we think you should declare your morality before trying to legislate the morality of this country.
We've fell back on our religious upbringing and broken it down into 8 major issues. Anybody in the above groups that wants to run on or vote or write about or preach about these issues needs to dig deep into his or her soul and come clean. If you want to be a moral arbiter, then you should declare your values.
We propose an online petition drive demanding that all public figures who now believe moral values are the number one issue in political campaigns need to put their money where their mouth is.
The petition would require that political figures first take a public oath that not only do they believe in moral values, but they practice them. The petition will demand that Congress adopt a bill that finally covers all of them, and it will be "The Morality Oath".
Remember, we're on a "morality" wave here and we citizens have a right to expect that our public figures are as moral as the exit polls indicate we want them to be. We believe it starts at the top with the newly elected President of the Moral 22% of the USA that apparently has taken us by storm.
By God, we have a right to expect that if we vote for something that our public officials meet those standards. The criteria is not complicated and in the words of W, they are things simple people can understand. Of course, as always, the moral test revolves around the 2 items we're all familiar with: Sex and Money. And we say clean up the Congress and the politicians. Make them answer these questions before taking office in January so that our "mandate" is safe.
Remember, personal privacy is no longer a defense.
The Moral Mighty 8 are:
1. The GAY Issue.
Have you ever had a GAY encounter or fantasized about one? Have you ever visited a GAY bar or GAY website. Do you know any GAY people that you have helped keep their secret? Are you GAY?
2. The ABORTION Issue.
Have you ever participated directly or indirectly in obtaining or paying for or suggesting an ABORTION for anyone that you know? Have you ever inquired into ABORTION information when you were afraid of being involved in the need for one? Have your ever asked a provider in this country to help you obtain an ABORTION in secret? Have you ever impregnated someone other than your wife? Can you honestly swear that nobody in your family has ever had an ABORTION? Have you ever personally had an ABORTION?
3. The SEX Issue.
Have you ever had SEX outside of marriage? Are you having SEX outside of marriage now? Have you ever lied to your wife or husband about having SEX with someone else? Have you ever had SEX with a staff member? Have you ever had SEX with a prostitute? Have you ever visited a strip club? Have you ever given money to a topless dancer? Have you ever had kinky SEX (i.e. other than the favorite Christian "missionary position")? Have you ever read pornography, watched porn movies, or visited porn sites? Have you ever fantasized about any of the above? Have you ever coveted your neighbor's wife? Have you ever felt lust in your heart?
4. The ABUSE Issue
Have you ever ABUSED a partner physically? Have you ever hit a partner or family member? Have you ever wanted to hit a partner or family member? Have you ever ABUSED a staff member or employee, either verbally or physically? Have you ever been accused of any kind of emotional, verbal or physical ABUSE? Have you ever sexually harassed anyone you work with?
5. The DRUG Issue
Have you ever smoked pot or done cocaine? Have you ever taken any amphetamines? Have you ever misused prescription DRUGS? Are you taking any kind of DRUGS now? If so, what?
6. The ALCOHOL Issue
Have you ever been drunk? Have you ever abused ALCOHOL? Have you driven drunk? Have you ever been stopped for a DUI? Have you ever been convicted of a DUI? Do you drink ALCOHOL now? If so, how many drinks per day? Do you have a drinking problem, or have you ever had a drinking problem?
7. The LYING Issue
Have you ever LIED to a family member about something material? Have you ever LIED to the public about anything? Have you ever LIED to your Minister, Priest, Rabbi or Iman about anything? Did you ever LIE to your parents about anything? Have you ever LIED under oath about anything? Did you ever cheat in school?
8. The MONEY Issue
Have you ever lied about MONEY? Have you ever taken MONEY, or anything of value, for something you shouldn't have? Have you ever cheated on your taxes? Have you ever manipulated the tax system for a better financial result? Have you ever run a company that has manipulated the tax system? Have you ever been audited and found to have underpaid? Has your family ever received jobs or things of value from someone you could help? Have you ever voted in a way to help a contributor when there was no other basis for that vote?
If you can answer "Yes" to any of the above, even in your youth, you must admit to it in order to cleanse yourself. The American public demands this and our officials must deliver.
Remember, as George W. Bush said: "You can run but you can't hide."
This country's Republican leaders think that morality is an important issue. Some would claim that it was THE issue in last Tuesday's election. Knock yourself out.
But, there's a catch.
If you're a politician, influential media expert or "talking head" or "pundit", or if you're a religious leader, we think you should declare your morality before trying to legislate the morality of this country.
We've fell back on our religious upbringing and broken it down into 8 major issues. Anybody in the above groups that wants to run on or vote or write about or preach about these issues needs to dig deep into his or her soul and come clean. If you want to be a moral arbiter, then you should declare your values.
We propose an online petition drive demanding that all public figures who now believe moral values are the number one issue in political campaigns need to put their money where their mouth is.
The petition would require that political figures first take a public oath that not only do they believe in moral values, but they practice them. The petition will demand that Congress adopt a bill that finally covers all of them, and it will be "The Morality Oath".
Remember, we're on a "morality" wave here and we citizens have a right to expect that our public figures are as moral as the exit polls indicate we want them to be. We believe it starts at the top with the newly elected President of the Moral 22% of the USA that apparently has taken us by storm.
By God, we have a right to expect that if we vote for something that our public officials meet those standards. The criteria is not complicated and in the words of W, they are things simple people can understand. Of course, as always, the moral test revolves around the 2 items we're all familiar with: Sex and Money. And we say clean up the Congress and the politicians. Make them answer these questions before taking office in January so that our "mandate" is safe.
Remember, personal privacy is no longer a defense.
The Moral Mighty 8 are:
1. The GAY Issue.
Have you ever had a GAY encounter or fantasized about one? Have you ever visited a GAY bar or GAY website. Do you know any GAY people that you have helped keep their secret? Are you GAY?
2. The ABORTION Issue.
Have you ever participated directly or indirectly in obtaining or paying for or suggesting an ABORTION for anyone that you know? Have you ever inquired into ABORTION information when you were afraid of being involved in the need for one? Have your ever asked a provider in this country to help you obtain an ABORTION in secret? Have you ever impregnated someone other than your wife? Can you honestly swear that nobody in your family has ever had an ABORTION? Have you ever personally had an ABORTION?
3. The SEX Issue.
Have you ever had SEX outside of marriage? Are you having SEX outside of marriage now? Have you ever lied to your wife or husband about having SEX with someone else? Have you ever had SEX with a staff member? Have you ever had SEX with a prostitute? Have you ever visited a strip club? Have you ever given money to a topless dancer? Have you ever had kinky SEX (i.e. other than the favorite Christian "missionary position")? Have you ever read pornography, watched porn movies, or visited porn sites? Have you ever fantasized about any of the above? Have you ever coveted your neighbor's wife? Have you ever felt lust in your heart?
4. The ABUSE Issue
Have you ever ABUSED a partner physically? Have you ever hit a partner or family member? Have you ever wanted to hit a partner or family member? Have you ever ABUSED a staff member or employee, either verbally or physically? Have you ever been accused of any kind of emotional, verbal or physical ABUSE? Have you ever sexually harassed anyone you work with?
5. The DRUG Issue
Have you ever smoked pot or done cocaine? Have you ever taken any amphetamines? Have you ever misused prescription DRUGS? Are you taking any kind of DRUGS now? If so, what?
6. The ALCOHOL Issue
Have you ever been drunk? Have you ever abused ALCOHOL? Have you driven drunk? Have you ever been stopped for a DUI? Have you ever been convicted of a DUI? Do you drink ALCOHOL now? If so, how many drinks per day? Do you have a drinking problem, or have you ever had a drinking problem?
7. The LYING Issue
Have you ever LIED to a family member about something material? Have you ever LIED to the public about anything? Have you ever LIED to your Minister, Priest, Rabbi or Iman about anything? Did you ever LIE to your parents about anything? Have you ever LIED under oath about anything? Did you ever cheat in school?
8. The MONEY Issue
Have you ever lied about MONEY? Have you ever taken MONEY, or anything of value, for something you shouldn't have? Have you ever cheated on your taxes? Have you ever manipulated the tax system for a better financial result? Have you ever run a company that has manipulated the tax system? Have you ever been audited and found to have underpaid? Has your family ever received jobs or things of value from someone you could help? Have you ever voted in a way to help a contributor when there was no other basis for that vote?
If you can answer "Yes" to any of the above, even in your youth, you must admit to it in order to cleanse yourself. The American public demands this and our officials must deliver.
Remember, as George W. Bush said: "You can run but you can't hide."
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Productive Ways to Deal with the 2004 Election Results
Productive Ways to Deal with the 2004 Election Results
By the Rev. C. Joshua Villines
1. Go ahead and get it out of your system. In the long run, using words like "jack-booted", "buffoon", "addle-brained", "lack-wit", "illiterate", "tsarist", "brain-dead", "moronic", "incontinent", and "village idiot" won't facilitate dialogue and they certainly won't convince anyone. If the fifty-nine million Americans who voted for the unrepentant prat haven't already figured it out this won't help them. In the short term, however, it really does blow off a little steam. You can even string a bunch of them together to make your own private nickname for the Chief Executive. I'm leaning toward, "Semi-literate, lack-witted, imperialist buffoon". At some point you have to realize that there may actually be a kind and caring person underneath the earth-despoiling, empire-building facade; but it's what he represents we're talking about here. If he didn't want to be called names, he shouldn't be working for the forces of darkness! Get it out of your system, then stop.
2. Go to a national park with people you care about and take lots of pictures so that your grandchildren will know what the place looked like before the loggers and the oil wildcatters came through. Bonus points if you‚re a same-sex couple and you have a wedding ceremony in a national park. You may also want to pitch in to help keep your national park looking nice. There's no guarantee that our government is going to, so someone should.
3. Start making your retirement plans now. If you're older than 4, it might be too late; but it never hurts to try. Look for socially conscious mutual funds that aren't going to contribute to the pockets of the wealthy exploiters (whose pockets are already lined by the tax cuts which will require you to update your retirement plans in the first place).
4. Buy and read at least one book on foreign policy, the economy, the environment, health care, or some other area where the President's policies are weak. The field is wide open here. In fact, any book on any topic will probably meet the criteria. Remember that this book might put you on a "bad" list with the current Attorney General, but that's OK. Pretty soon being able to read might do the same.
5. Make a choice, about anything. You'll probably have fewer of them in the future; so enjoy them now.
6. If you're a Christian, enjoy getting to be the top of the heap for the time being. If you adhere to some other religion, don't worry. Now that the precedent for government-by-religion has been firmly established your turn may very well come. (Quakers can give up on this though. Religion that requires you to actually do things sacrificially for people will never catch on.) Just think, if you get enough bigots together, you can even write your religion's peculiar prejudices into a state constitution!
7. Wait! Don't go to Canada yet! Now El Presidente has to clean up the mess he created. He can't and won't, and we may see a Democratic Golden Age in response. Hang in there.
8. While you're hanging, talk to some people who voted for the addle-brained nincompoop and find out why they did it. Not only does this help you reduce the list of people whom you'll need to invite to your next Michael Moore screening party; it will help you understand why this travesty happened. Maybe they thought invading Iraq in response to an attack by a bunch of Saudis made sense. Maybe they only watch Fox news. Maybe they don't really understand the threat a rogue Justice Department is to their civil liberties. Maybe every time they saw the words "Dick" and "Bush" on a TV screen their minds wandered. Whatever kept them from realizing that they were voting for possibly the worst President in the history of the office, we need to find out what it is if we're going to keep it from happening again.
9. Shop Democratic! Spend a little extra and buy locally-produced items from locally owned stores. Buy generic drugs and organic food. Find companies which impose the kinds of regulations and obligations on themselves that our morality-challenged Businessman-in-Chief won't impose on his cronies.
10. Set aside 8 hours a month to do some kind of work that makes your community a better place. Volunteer at a school or a literacy program. Build a Habitat house. Clean up a river bank. Take your elderly neighbor shopping (he or she probably won't be able to afford a cab if they are relying on Medicare and Social Security). You don't need to find an organization to work with. Just set aside a little bit of time to put energy into the place where you live. When people ask you why you're so dedicated to making the world a better place and to taking care of those around you, tell them, "Because I'm a Democrat. It's what we do."
By the Rev. C. Joshua Villines
1. Go ahead and get it out of your system. In the long run, using words like "jack-booted", "buffoon", "addle-brained", "lack-wit", "illiterate", "tsarist", "brain-dead", "moronic", "incontinent", and "village idiot" won't facilitate dialogue and they certainly won't convince anyone. If the fifty-nine million Americans who voted for the unrepentant prat haven't already figured it out this won't help them. In the short term, however, it really does blow off a little steam. You can even string a bunch of them together to make your own private nickname for the Chief Executive. I'm leaning toward, "Semi-literate, lack-witted, imperialist buffoon". At some point you have to realize that there may actually be a kind and caring person underneath the earth-despoiling, empire-building facade; but it's what he represents we're talking about here. If he didn't want to be called names, he shouldn't be working for the forces of darkness! Get it out of your system, then stop.
2. Go to a national park with people you care about and take lots of pictures so that your grandchildren will know what the place looked like before the loggers and the oil wildcatters came through. Bonus points if you‚re a same-sex couple and you have a wedding ceremony in a national park. You may also want to pitch in to help keep your national park looking nice. There's no guarantee that our government is going to, so someone should.
3. Start making your retirement plans now. If you're older than 4, it might be too late; but it never hurts to try. Look for socially conscious mutual funds that aren't going to contribute to the pockets of the wealthy exploiters (whose pockets are already lined by the tax cuts which will require you to update your retirement plans in the first place).
4. Buy and read at least one book on foreign policy, the economy, the environment, health care, or some other area where the President's policies are weak. The field is wide open here. In fact, any book on any topic will probably meet the criteria. Remember that this book might put you on a "bad" list with the current Attorney General, but that's OK. Pretty soon being able to read might do the same.
5. Make a choice, about anything. You'll probably have fewer of them in the future; so enjoy them now.
6. If you're a Christian, enjoy getting to be the top of the heap for the time being. If you adhere to some other religion, don't worry. Now that the precedent for government-by-religion has been firmly established your turn may very well come. (Quakers can give up on this though. Religion that requires you to actually do things sacrificially for people will never catch on.) Just think, if you get enough bigots together, you can even write your religion's peculiar prejudices into a state constitution!
7. Wait! Don't go to Canada yet! Now El Presidente has to clean up the mess he created. He can't and won't, and we may see a Democratic Golden Age in response. Hang in there.
8. While you're hanging, talk to some people who voted for the addle-brained nincompoop and find out why they did it. Not only does this help you reduce the list of people whom you'll need to invite to your next Michael Moore screening party; it will help you understand why this travesty happened. Maybe they thought invading Iraq in response to an attack by a bunch of Saudis made sense. Maybe they only watch Fox news. Maybe they don't really understand the threat a rogue Justice Department is to their civil liberties. Maybe every time they saw the words "Dick" and "Bush" on a TV screen their minds wandered. Whatever kept them from realizing that they were voting for possibly the worst President in the history of the office, we need to find out what it is if we're going to keep it from happening again.
9. Shop Democratic! Spend a little extra and buy locally-produced items from locally owned stores. Buy generic drugs and organic food. Find companies which impose the kinds of regulations and obligations on themselves that our morality-challenged Businessman-in-Chief won't impose on his cronies.
10. Set aside 8 hours a month to do some kind of work that makes your community a better place. Volunteer at a school or a literacy program. Build a Habitat house. Clean up a river bank. Take your elderly neighbor shopping (he or she probably won't be able to afford a cab if they are relying on Medicare and Social Security). You don't need to find an organization to work with. Just set aside a little bit of time to put energy into the place where you live. When people ask you why you're so dedicated to making the world a better place and to taking care of those around you, tell them, "Because I'm a Democrat. It's what we do."
